ORAU TEAM

Dose Reconstruction

Project for NIOSH

Oak Ridge Associated Universities I Dade Moeller & Associates I MJW Corporation

Page 1 of 18

Document Title:

Summary Site Profile for the Pacific 

Proving Ground

Document Number: ORAUT-TKBS-0052

Revision: 00

Effective Date: 08/30/2006

Type of Document: TBD

Supersedes: None

Subject Experts: Cheryl Y. Smith and Lori J. Arent

Document Owner

Approval: Signature on File Approval Date: 08/10/2006

Lori J. Arent, TBD Team Leader

Approval: Signature on File Approval Date: 08/09/2006

John M. Byrne, Task 3 Manager

Concurrence: Signature on File Concurrence Date: 08/09/2006

Edward F. Maher, Task 5 Manager

Concurrence: Signature on File Concurrence Date: 08/17/2006

Kate Kimpan, Project Director

Approval: Signature on File Approval Date: 08/30/2006

James W. Neton, Associate Director for Science

 New Total Rewrite Revision Page Change

FOR DOCUMENTS MARKED AS A TOTAL REWRITE, REVISION, OR PAGE CHANGE, REPLACE THE PRIOR 

REVISION AND DISCARD / DESTROY ALL COPIES OF THE PRIOR REVISION.
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0052 Revision No. 00 Effective Date: 08/30/2006 Page 2 of 18

PUBLICATION RECORD

EFFECTIVE 

DATE

REVISION

NUMBER DESCRIPTION

08/30/2006 00 New document to describe the Pacific Proving Ground and other 

oceanic test locations to enable the preparation of dose 

reconstructions. First approved issue of Revision 00. Incorporates 

internal and NIOSH formal review comments. There is no change to 

the assigned dose and no PER is required. Training required: As 

determined by the Task Manager. Initiated by Lori J. Arent.
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0052 Revision No. 00 Effective Date: 08/30/2006 Page 3 of 18

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE TITLE

Acronyms and Abbreviations ...............................................................................................................

PAGE

4

1.0 Introduction ..............................................................................................................................5

1.1 Purpose........................................................................................................................6

1.2 Scope...........................................................................................................................6

2.0 Site Description........................................................................................................................6

3.0 Occupational Medical Dose......................................................................................................6

4.0 Occupational Environmental Dose ......................................................................................... 10

5.0 Occupational Internal Dose.................................................................................................... 10

6.0 Occupational External Dose................................................................................................... 13

7.0 Summary ...............................................................................................................................13

References ........................................................................................................................................14

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE TITLE

2-1 PPG tests.................................................................................................................................

PAGE

7

2-2 External dosimetry 1946 to 1962............................................................................................ 11
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0052 Revision No. 00 Effective Date: 08/30/2006 Page 4 of 18

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

AEC U.S. Atomic Energy Commission

DNA Defense Nuclear Agency

DOD U.S. Department of Defense

DOE U.S. Department of Energy

EEOICPA Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act

ft foot

in inch

km kilometer

kt kiloton

LANL Los Alamos National Laboratory

LLNL Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

mi mile

MDL Minimium Detection Limit

MPE Maximum Permissible Exposure

Mt megaton

NIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

NTS Nevada Test Site

POC probability of causation

PPG Pacific Proving Ground

R roentgen

SEC Special Exposure Cohort

SNL Sandia National Laboratory

TBD technical basis document

U.S.C. United States Code

yd yard

§ section
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0052 Revision No. 00 Effective Date: 08/30/2006 Page 5 of 18

1.0

Technical basis documents (TBDs) and site profile documents are not official determinations made by 

the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) but are rather general working 

documents that provide historic background information and guidance to assist in the preparation of 

dose reconstructions at particular sites or categories of sites. They will be revised in the event 

additional relevant information is obtained about the affected site(s). These documents may be used 

to assist the NIOSH staff in the completion of the individual work required for each dose 

reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION

In this document, the word “facility” is used as a general term for an area, building, or group of 

buildings that served a specific purpose at a site. It does not necessarily connote an “atomic weapons 

employer facility” or a “Department of Energy [DOE] facility” as defined in the Energy Employees 

Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act [EEOICPA; 42 U.S.C. § 7384l(5) and (12)]. 

EEOICPA defines a DOE facility as “any building, structure, or premise, including the grounds upon 

which such building, structure, or premise is located ... in which operations are, or have been, 

conducted by, or on behalf of, the Department of Energy (except for buildings, structures, premises, 

grounds, or operations ... pertaining to the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program)” [42 U.S.C. § 

7384l(12)]. Accordingly, except for the exclusion for the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program noted 

above, any facility that performs or performed DOE operations of any nature whatsoever is a DOE 

facility encompassed by EEOICPA.

For employees of DOE or its contractors with cancer, the DOE facility definition only determines 

eligibility for a dose reconstruction, which is a prerequisite to a compensation decision (except for 

members of the Special Exposure Cohort or SEC). The compensation decision for cancer claimants 

is based on a section of the statute entitled “Exposure in the Performance of Duty.” That provision 

[42 U.S.C. § 7384n(b)] says that an individual with cancer “shall be determined to have sustained that 

cancer in the performance of duty for purposes of the compensation program if, and only if, the cancer 

... was at least as likely as not related to employment at the facility [where the employee worked], as 

determined in accordance with the POC [probability of causation1

As noted above, the statute includes a definition of a DOE facility that excludes “buildings, structures, 

premises, grounds, or operations covered by Executive Order No. 12344, dated February 1, 1982

(42 U.S.C. 7158 note), pertaining to the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program” [42 U.S.C. § 7384l(12)]. 

While this definition contains an exclusion with respect to the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, the 

section of EEOICPA that deals with the compensation decision for covered employees with cancer 

[i.e., 42 U.S.C. § 7384n(b), entitled “Exposure in the Performance of Duty”] does not contain such an 

exclusion. Therefore, the statute requires NIOSH to include all occupationally derived radiation 

exposures at covered facilities in its dose reconstructions for employees at DOE facilities, including 

radiation exposures related to the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. As a result, all internal and 

external dosimetry monitoring results are considered valid for use in dose reconstruction. No efforts 

are made to determine the eligibility of any fraction of total measured exposure for inclusion in dose 

reconstruction. NIOSH, however, does not consider the following exposures to be occupationally 

derived:

] guidelines established under 

subsection (c) ...” [42 U.S.C. § 7384n(b)]. Neither the statute nor the POC guidelines (nor the dose 

reconstruction regulation) define “performance of duty” for DOE employees with a covered cancer or 

restrict the “duty” to nuclear weapons work.

• Radiation from naturally occurring radon present in conventional structures

• Radiation from diagnostic X-rays received in the treatment of work-related injuries

 1 The U.S. Department of Labor is ultimately responsible under the EEOICPA for determining the POC.
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0052 Revision No. 00 Effective Date: 08/30/2006 Page 6 of 18

1.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this document is to provide guidance for dose reconstruction of non-SEC cancers and 

those presumptive cancer claims that have less than 250 days of employment for EEOICPA claimants 

who participated in Pacific Proving Ground (PPG) operations. 

An SEC class established for the PPG includes all employees of DOE, DOE contractors, or 

subcontractors who worked at the PPG from 1946 through 1962 who were monitored or should have 

been monitored for exposure to ionizing radiation as a result of nuclear weapons testing at the PPG

(NIOSH 2005). This SEC applies to workers with covered cancers who were employed for a number 

of workdays, aggregating at least 250 workdays occurring either solely under this employment or in 

combination with workdays within the parameters (excluding aggregate workday requirements) 

established for other classes of employees included in the SEC.

1.2 SCOPE

This site profile consists of six sections: Introduction, Site Description, Occupational Medical Dose, 

Occupational Environmental Dose, Occupational Internal Dose, and Occupational External Dosimetry.

2.0

Between 1945 and 1962, the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC; a DOE predecessor agency) 

conducted 105 atmospheric and underwater nuclear weapon tests at sites at the PPG (DOE 2000). In 

the Pacific, 29 atolls and 5 islands spread over 770,000 mi2 with a total land area of about 70 mi2

comprise the Marshall Islands. Enewetak Atoll, Bikini Atoll, Johnston Island, and Christmas Island in 

the Marshall Islands are known as the PPG (NIOSH 2005). 

SITE DESCRIPTION

Oceanic nuclear testing by the United States consisted mostly of the unconfined detonation of nuclear 

devices in the atmosphere. An operation includes one or more individual tests, typically designed 

and conducted for a common purpose. Table 2-1 summarizes the PPG tests, including test name, 

date, sponsor(s), location, type, purpose, and yield.

Personnel who worked on the PPG tests were based at various DOE sites and traveled to the test 

location for part or all of an operation. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL, previously known as 

the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL, previously 

known as the University of California Research Laboratory), Sandia National Laboratory (SNL, 

previously known as Sandia Corporation), and the Nevada Test Site (NTS) were the employers for 

most civilian participants during the various operations. However, other sites in the DOE complex and

their contractors (Edgerton, Germeshausen and Grier (EG&G) and Holmes and Narver (H&N) for 

example) also provided civilian participants.

3.0

Multiple organizations based at various sites in the DOE complex sponsored and took part in the 

various operations. Based on records provided by DOE, the dose reconstructor must, if possible,

determine the facility in the complex with which the employee was associated during participation in 

an oceanic test or operation.

OCCUPATIONAL MEDICAL DOSE
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0052 Revision No. 00 Effective Date: 08/30/2006 Page 7 of 18

Table 2-1. PPG tests.

a

Test Dateb Sponsor Location Type Purpose Yield

Operation Crossroads – To determine effects on ships

Able 6/30/46 LANL/DOD Bikini Airdrop Weapons effects 21 kt

Baker 7/24/46 LANL/DOD Bikini Underwater Weapons effects 21 kt

Operation Sandstone - AEC scientific tests to proof-test improved design

X-ray 4/14/48 LANL Enewetak Tower Weapons related 37 kt

Yoke 4/30/48 LANL Enewetak Tower Weapons related 49 kt

Zebra 5/14/48 LANL Enewetak Tower Weapons related 18 kt

Operation Greenhouse - Thermonuclear weapon development and observation of physical and biological 

effects of nuclear weapons

Dog 4/7/51 LANL Enewetak Tower Weapons related 81 kt

Easy 4/20/51 LANL Enewetak Tower Weapons related 47 kt

George 5/8/51 LANL Enewetak Tower Weapons related 225 kt

Item 5/24/51 LANL Enewetak Tower Weapons related 45.5 kt

Operation Ivy - Thermonuclear weapon development

Mike 10/31/52 LANL Enewetak Surface Weapons related 10.4 Mt

King 11/15/52 LANL Enewetak Airdrop Weapons related 500 kt

Operation Castle - To gage military effects of the explosions (i.e., measure power and efficiency of devices)

Bravo 2/28/54 LANL Bikini Surface Weapons related 15 Mt

Romeo 3/26/54 LANL Bikini Barge Weapons related 11 Mt

Koon 4/6/54 LLNL Bikini Surface Weapons related 110 kt

Union 4/25/54 LANL Bikini Barge Weapons related 6.9 Mt

Yankee 5/4/54 LANL Bikini Barge Weapons related 13.5 Mt

Nectar 5/13/54 LANL Enewetak Barge Weapons related 1.69 Mt

Operation Wigwamc – To determine lethal distances for nuclear effects vs. submerged submarines; one 

detonation was conducted in 16,000 ft of water

Wigwamc 5/14/55 LANL/DOD Pacific Underwater Weapons effects 30 kt

Operation Redwing – High-yield thermonuclear tests to gage military effects and measure power and 

efficiency of devices

Lacrosse 5/4/56 LANL Enewetak Surface Weapons related 40 kt

Cherokee 5/20/56 LANL Bikini Airdrop Weapons related 3.8 Mt

Zuni 5/27/56 LLNL Bikini Surface Weapons related 3.5 Mt

Yuma 5/27/56 LLNL Enewetak Tower Weapons related 190 tons

Erie 5/30/56 LANL Enewetak Tower Weapons related 14.9 kt

Seminole 6/6/56 LANL Enewetak Surface Weapons related 13.7 kt

Flathead 6/11/56 LANL Bikini Barge Weapons related 365 kt

Blackfoot 6/11/56 LANL Enewetak Tower Weapons related 8 kt

Kickapoo 6/13/56 LLNL Enewetak Tower Weapons related 1.49 kt

Osage 6/16/56 LANL Enewetak Airdrop Weapons related 1.7 kt

Inca 6/21/56 LLNL Enewetak Tower Weapons related 15.2 kt

Dakota 6/25/56 LANL Bikini Barge Weapons related 1.1 Mt

Mohawk 7/2/56 LLNL Enewetak Tower Weapons related 360 kt

Apache 7/8/56 LLNL Enewetak Barge Weapons related 1.85 Mt

Navajo 7/10/56 LANL Bikini Barge Weapons related 4.5 Mt

Tewa 7/20/56 LLNL Bikini Barge Weapons related 5 Mt

Huron 7/20/56 LANL Enewetak Barge Weapons related 250 kt

Hardtack I - Three parts to test: (1) continued development of nuclear weapons with detonation of 

experimental devices from various AEC laboratories, (2) underwater tests to improve understanding of effects 

on underwater explosions on ships and material, and (3) nuclear weapons in air and ballistic missile defense 

(first high-yield rocket tests)
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0052 Revision No. 00 Effective Date: 08/30/2006 Page 8 of 18

Table 2-1 (Continued). PPG tests.a

Test Dateb Sponsor Location Type Purpose Yield

Yucca

(Operation Newsreel)

4/28/58 LANL/DOD Pacific Balloon Weapons effects 1.7 kt

Cactus 5/5/58 LANL Enewetak Surface Weapons effects 18 kt

Fir 5/11/58 LLNL Bikini Barge Weapons related 1.36 Mt

Butternut 5/11/58 LANL Enewetak Barge Weapons related 81 kt

Koa 5/12/58 LANL Enewetak Surface Weapons related 1.37 Mt

Wahoo 5/16/58 LANL/DOD Enewetak Underwater Weapons related 9 kt

Holly 5/20/58 LANL Enewetak Barge Weapons related 5.9 kt

Nutmeg 5/21/58 LLNL Bikini Barge Weapons related 25.1 kt

Yellowwood 5/26/58 LANL Enewetak Barge Weapons related 330 kt

Magnolia 5/26/58 LANL Enewetak Barge Weapons related 57 kt

Tobacco 5/30/58 LANL Enewetak Barge Weapons related 11.6 kt

Sycamore 5/31/58 LLNL Bikini Barge Weapons related 92 kt

Rose 6/2/58 LANL Enewetak Barge Weapons related 15 kt

Umbrella 6/8/58 LANL/DOD Enewetak Underwater Weapons effects 8 kt

Maple 6/10/58 LLNL Bikini Barge Weapons related 213 kt

Aspen 6/14/58 LLNL Bikini Barge Weapons related 319 kt

Walnut 6/14/58 LANL Enewetak Barge Weapons related 1.45 Mt

Linden 6/18/58 LANL Enewetak Barge Weapons related 11 kt

Redwood 6/27/58 LLNL Bikini Barge Weapons related 412 kt

Elder 6/27/58 LANL Enewetak Barge Weapons related 880 kt

Oak 6/28/59 LANL Enewetak Barge Weapons related 8.9 Mt

Hickory 6/29/58 LLNL Bikini Barge Weapons related 14 kt

Sequoia 7/1/58 LANL Enewetak Barge Weapons related 5.2 kt

Cedar 7/2/58 LLNL Bikini Barge Weapons related 220 kt

Dogwood 7/5/58 LLNL Enewetak Barge Weapons related 397 kt

Poplar 7/12/58 LLNL Bikini Barge Weapons related 9.3 Mt

Scaevola 7/14/58 LANL Enewetak Barge Safety experiment 0

Pisonia 7/17/58 LANL Enewetak Barge Weapons related 225 kt

Juniper 7/22/58 LLNL Bikini Barge Weapons related 65 kt

Olive 7/22/58 LLNL Enewetak Barge Weapons related 202 kt

Pine 7/26/58 LLNL Enewetak Barge Weapons related 2 Mt

Teak 

(Operation Newsreel)

8/1/58 LANL/DOD Johnston Rocket Weapons effects 3.8 Mt

Quince 8/6/58 LLNL/DOD Enewetak Surface Weapons related 0

Orange 

(Operation Newsreel)

8/12/58 LANL/DOD Johnston Rocket Weapons effects 3.8 Mt

Fig 8/18/58 LLNL/DOD Enewetak Surface Weapons related 20 tons

Argusc - Tests in upper regions of atmosphere to test Christofilos theory, which argued that high-altitude 

nuclear detonations would create radiation belt in upper regions of Earth’s atmosphere that would include 

degradation of radio and radar transmissions, etc.

Argus Ic 8/27/58 LANL/DOD S. Atlantic Rocket Weapons effects 1-2 kt

Argus IIc 8/30/58 LANL/DOD S. Atlantic Rocket Weapons effects 1-2 kt

Argus IIIc 9/6/58 LANL/DOD S. Atlantic Rocket Weapons effects 1-2 kt

Dominic - Primarily high-altitude air bursts with little fallout

Adobe 4/25/62 LANL Christmas Airdrop Weapons related 190 kt

Aztec 4/27/62 LANL Christmas Airdrop Weapons related 410 kt

Arkansas 5/2/62 LLNL Christmas Airdrop Weapons related 1.09 Mt

Questa 5/4/62 LANL Christmas Airdrop Weapons related 670 kt

Frigate Bird 5/6/62 LLNL/DOD Pacific Rocket Weapons related 200-1,000 

kt
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0052 Revision No. 00 Effective Date: 08/30/2006 Page 9 of 18

Table 2-1 (Continued). PPG tests.a

Test Dateb Sponsor Location Type Purpose Yield

Yukon 5/8/62 LLNL Christmas Airdrop Weapons related Low

Mesilla 5/9/62 LANL Christmas Airdrop Weapons related 100 kt

Muskegon 5/11/62 LLNL Christmas Airdrop Weapons related 100 kt

Swordfish 5/11/62 LANL/DOD Pacific Underwater Weapons effects Low

Encino 5/12/62 LANL Christmas Airdrop Weapons related 500 kt

Swanee 5/14/62 LLNL Christmas Airdrop Weapons related 97 kt

Chetco 5/19/62 LLNL Christmas Airdrop Weapons related 73 kt

Tanana 5/25/62 LLNL Christmas Airdrop Weapons related 2.6 kt

Nambe 5/27/62 LANL Christmas Airdrop Weapons related 43 kt

Alma 6/8/62 LANL Christmas Airdrop Weapons related 782 kt

Truckee 6/9/62 LLNL Christmas Airdrop Weapons related 210 kt

Yeso 6/10/62 LANL Christmas Airdrop Weapons related 3 Mt

Harlem 6/12/62 LLNL Christmas Airdrop Weapons related 1.2 Mt

Rinconada 6/15/62 LANL Christmas Airdrop Weapons related 800 kt

Dulce 6/17/62 LANL Christmas Airdrop Weapons related 52 kt

Petit 6/19/62 LLNL Christmas Airdrop Weapons related 2.2 kt

Otowi 6/22/62 LANL Christmas Airdrop Weapons related 81.5 kt

Bighorn 6/27/62 LLNL Christmas Airdrop Weapons related 7.65 Mt

Bluestone 6/30/62 LLNL Christmas Airdrop Weapons related 1.27 Mt

Operations Fishbowl and Dominic (AKA Dominic I)

Starfish Prime 

(Operation Fishbowl)

7/9/62 LANL/DOD Johnston Rocket Weapons effects 1.4 Mt

Sunset 

(Operation Dominic)

7/10/62 LANL Christmas Airdrop Weapons related 1 Mt

Pamlico 

(Operation Dominic)

7/11/62 LLNL Christmas Airdrop Weapons related 3.88 Mt

Androscoggin

(Operation Dominic)

10/2/62 LLNL Johnston Airdrop Weapons related 75 kt

Bumping 

(Operation Dominic)

10/6/62 LLNL Johnston Airdrop Weapons related 11.3 kt

Chama 

(Operation Dominic)

10/18/62 LANL Johnston Airdrop Weapons related 1.59 Mt

Checkmate 

(Operation Fishbowl)

10/20/62 LANL/DOD Johnston Rocket Weapons effects Low

Bluegill 3 Prime 

(Operation Fishbowl)

10/26/62 LANL/DOD Johnston Rocket Weapons effects Sub Mt

Calamity 

(Operation Dominic)

10/27/62 LLNL Johnston Airdrop Weapons related 800 kt

Housatonic 

(Operation Dominic)

10/30/62 LLNL Johnston Airdrop Weapons related 8.3 Mt

Kingfish 

(Operation Fishbowl)

11/1/62 LANL/DOD Johnston Rocket Weapons effects Sub Mt

Tightrope 

(Operation Fishbowl)

11/4/62 LANL/DOD Johnston Rocket Weapons effects Low

a. Prepared from DNA (1981, 1982a,b,c,d,e, 1983a,b,c, 1984); DOE (2000).

b. Greenwich Mean Time

c. This operation and its tests are not considered part of the PPG cohort. 

LANL, LLNL, SNL, and NTS provided many of the civilian scientific, research, and support participants

during these operations. Additionally, H&N and EG&G provided support personnel (e.g., cafeteria 

workers, electronics technicians, construction workers, etc.) The assignments were for all or part of 

an operation and lasted from 2 to 4 months for most civilian participants. Employees of some 

contractors, for example EG&G and H&N, were associated with more than one DOE facility. The 
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0052 Revision No. 00 Effective Date: 08/30/2006 Page 10 of 18

dose reconstructor should use the occupational medical dose TBD related to the participant’s 

employer and associated DOE site to determine X-ray dose. For most participants, specific guidance 

for occupational medical dose can be found in the current published revision of:

• ORAUT-TKBS-0008-3, Technical Basis Document for the Nevada Test Site – Occupational 

Medical Dose (ORAUT 2004a)

• ORAUT-TKBS-0010-3, Technical Basis Document for the Los Alamos National Laboratory –

Occupational Medical Dose (ORAUT 2004b)

• ORAUT-TKBS-0035-3, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory – Occupational Medical Dose

(ORAUT 2005a)

While these sites provided many participants, other sites across the complex also provided 

participants or workers may have been hired from the local population as support personnel. Other 

employers might have been associated with only one DOE facility or none at all. If an employee’s 

records cannot be associated with a DOE facility for which a TBD is being developed at the time of 

the dose reconstruction, dose reconstructors should use the guidance in ORAUT-OTIB-0006, 

Technical Information Bulletin: Dose Reconstruction from Occupationally Related Diagnostic X-Ray 

Procedures (ORAUT 2005b).

NIOSH concludes it is feasible to determine the maximum potential occupational medical exposures. 

Because most civilian participants spent the interval of the operation (or part of the operation) at the

test location and then returned to the U.S, the use of site-specific information (for example, the 

documents listed above for NTS, LANL and LLNL), for the participant is reasonable. For other 

participants that were hired on location, the complex-wide documentation should be applied. The 

approach for applying occupational medical dose is found in Occupational X-Ray Dose 

Reconstruction for DOE Sites (ORAUT 2004c).

4.0

Participants with the potential for radiological exposure received dosimeters during the tests (see 

Table 2-2). Dose reconstructors may use the guidance in ORAUT-PROC-0060, External On-Site 

Ambient Dose Reconstruction for DOE Sites (ORAUT 2005c), to determine if external ambient dose 

should be applied if the participant can be clearly identified with a specific DOE complex location that 

is listed in Attachment A of ORAUT-PROC-0060. Starting with Operation Castle, the LANL film 

badge dosimetry procedures were adopted (NRC 1989). According to ORAUT-PROC-0060, external 

on-site ambient dose does not need to be assigned for employees monitored under LANL procedures. 

For unmonitored participants, coworker doses have been developed using summary data (see 

Attachment A). 

OCCUPATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL DOSE

5.0

NIOSH determined in the SEC Petition Evaluation Report (NIOSH 2005) that it lacks sufficient 

personnel monitoring, air monitoring, or source term data to adequately reconstruct the internal 

exposures at the PPG (NIOSH 2005). As a consequence, NIOSH finds that it is not feasible to 

estimate with sufficient accuracy the radiation doses resulting from internal exposures during PPG

operations.

OCCUPATIONAL INTERNAL DOSE
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0052 Revision No. 00 Effective Date: 

08/30/2006 Page 11 of 18

Table 2-2. External dosimetry 1946 to 1962. a

Photon- beta dosimeters

Year Operation Dosimeter Description Issue and exchange

Routine Maximum 

Permissible 

Exposure (MPE) Biasf Uncertainty

Minimum

Detection 

Limit (MDL)

1946 Crossroads

(2 events)

Dental Film 

Packet

Single component Type K double-emulsion 

dental film packet covered by 0.020-in.-thick 

lead cross filter. This filter was not totally 

effective in correcting over-response caused 

by photons of lower energy. Plastic envelope 

was used to minimize damage to film from 

moisture. Exposure range (0 to 2 R).

Issued to RadSafe monitors or a few 

RadSafe monitors in group 

(approximately 1 to 2 monitors with 

dosimeters for 100 participants –

cohort badging). Also issued to 

aircrews. Exchanged daily but 

record indicates some were worn up 

to 9 days. Used during 

decontamination of ships and for 

unloading ammunition at Kwajalein 

after August 1946.

Photon exposure 

with objective of 

keeping daily 

exposure below 0.1 

R, not to exceed 50-

60 R in 2 weeks. 

Employee 

withdrawn from 

operation at 10 R in 

1 d or 60 R in 2 

weeks.

1.1 1.7 40 mR

1948 Sandstone

(3 events)

Eastman 

Types K and 

A film

Type K exposure range (0.06 to 2 R). Type A 

exposure range (1 to 10 R). Covered by 

0.020-in. thick lead cross filter. This filter was 

not totally effective in correcting the overresponse caused by photons of lower energy. 

Plastic envelope was used to minimize 

damage to film from moisture.

Issued for single-day use to all 

personnel with exposure potential. 

(Example on 4/24/48, 9 d after test 

“X-ray,” all participants who were 

expected to come closer than 530 

yd of ground zero were issued 

dosimeters.)

Exposure to be 

below 0.1 R per day

or 3 R for certain 

missions

1.1 1.8 60 mR

1951 Greenhouse

(4 events)

DuPont 553 

Packet

DuPont 553 packet, including Type 502 lowrange element (0.05 to 10 R), Type 510 highrange element (1 to 50 R), and Type 606 

high-range element (10 to 300 R). No 

measurable density above background was 

reported for Type 606 element. Lead filters, 

0.020-in. thick. This filter was not totally 

effective in correcting over-response caused 

by photons of lower energy. 

Cohort, air crews, and ground crews 

maintaining contaminated air craft. 

Originally recorded dose likely 

reflects subtraction for fallout.

3.9 R per 13 weeks; 

0.1 R per day not to 

exceed 0.7 R/week

1.1 1.9 40 mR

1952 Ivy

(2 events)

DuPont 558 

Packet

DuPont 558 packet, including Type 508 lowrange element (0.05 to 10 R) and Type 1290 

high-range element (10 to 750 R). Lead 

filters, 0.020-in thick. This filter was not 

totally effective in correcting over-response 

caused by photons of lower energy. 

Issued to aircrews, ground crews 

assigned to working on 

contaminated aircraft, and reentry 

parties. Badges were usually 

issued on mission basis and worn 

for approximately 1 day.

3.9 R per operation 

for gamma only

1.1 1.5b 40 mR

1954 Castle

(6 events)

DuPont 509 

Packet

DuPont 509 packet, including Type 502 lowrange element (0.02 to 10 R) and Type 606 

high-range element (10 to 300 R). Lead 

filters, 0.028-in. thick, (symmetrical coverage 

on both sides with open area). This change 

in thickness from previous filter caused 20% 

change in response to 120 and 70 keV 

photons.

Issued to all aircrews in air at H-hr

within 185 km of the shot site. Also,

all participants likely to receive a 

significant amount of radiation 

exposure and a representative 10% 

of other personnel.

3.9 R per 13 weeks 

augmented with 0.3 

R per week after 

that

1.0 2.1 40 mR

1955 Wigwamg

(1 event)

DuPont 559 

Packet

DuPont 559 Packet, including Type 502 lowrange element (0.02 to 10 R) and Type 606 

high-range element (10 to 300 R). Lead 

filters, 0.028-in thick (symmetrical coverage 

on both sides with open area).

Issued to almost all participates with 

extra exchanges for those 

participants involved in post test 

sampling and recovery of test 

instruments. Badge indicated beta 

to gamma ratios ranged from 1:1 to 

3:1.

3.5 R per operation;

20 R per operation 

hands and feet

1.0 1.4 40 mR
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0052 Revision No. 00 Effective Date: 

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Table 2-2 (Continued). External dosimetry 1946 to 1962. a

Photon- beta dosimeters

Year Operation Dosimeter Description Issue and exchange Routine MPE Bias Uncertainty MDL

1956 Redwing

(17 events)

DuPont 559 

Packet

DuPont 559 Packet, including Type 502 lowrange element (0.02 to 10 R) and Type 606 

high-range element (10 to 300 R). Lead 

filters, 0.028-in thick (symmetrical coverage 

on both sides with open area).

Permanent badges were issued to 

all participants. Cellulose acetate 

holder was found to be defective, so 

after first 6 weeks film packets were 

dipped in ceresin wax to keep out 

moisture. Mission badges 

(exchanged daily) were issued to 

personnel entering contaminated 

areas.

3.9 R per 13 weeks 1.0 1.5 40 mrem

1958 Hardtack and 

Newsreel

(35 events)

DuPont 559 

Packet

DuPont 559 Packet, including Type 502 lowrange element (0.02 to 10 R) and Type 834 

high-range element (5 to 800 R). Lead filters, 

0.028-in. thick (symmetrical coverage on both 

sides with open area). Film was wax covered 

and housed in rigid polyvinylchloride case. 

Designed to be worn for several months, no 

significant failure observed with up to 6 

months of use.

Film badges were called in at 60-

day intervals. All participants were 

to wear dosimetry at all times.

3.75 R per 13 

weeks; 5 R for 

operation

1.2 1.4 40 mR

1958 Argusg

(3 events)

DuPont 559 

Packetd

Uncertain on which film badge was used. 

Possibly same as Operation Plumbbob at 

NTS (i.e., Type 502 low-range element (0.02 

to 10 R) and Type 606 high-range element 

(10 to 300 R)).

4,000 film badges were provided, 

however due to classified nature of 

tests only 264 film badges were 

assigned, all to personnel with 

knowledge of the tests. No records 

of the dosimetry are available. 

Highest exposure recorded by 

individual’s packet was 0.010 R.

3 rem per 13 weeks 

& 5(N-18)c rem per 

yeare

1.09d 1.4d 40 mR

1962 Dominic (AKA 

Dominic I) 

and Fishbowl

(36 events)

DuPont 556 

Packet

DuPont 556 Packet, including Type 508 lowrange element (0.02 to 10 R) and Type 834 

high-range element (5 to 800 R). Lead filters, 

0.028-in. thick (symmetrical coverage on both 

sides with open area). Film was wax covered 

and housed in rigid polyvinylchloride case.

Air crews and all participants with 

exception of certain remote 

locations.

3 rem per 13 weeks 

& 5(N-18) rem per 

year

1.2 1.4 40 mR

a. Prepared from DNA (1981, 1982a,b,c,d,e, 1983a,b,c, 1984); and NRC 1989.

b. Bias is 1.4 for flight personnel.

c. N equals the age of the participant.

d. Information is from Operation Plumbbob conducted at NTS.

e. Routine MPE is from IEER 2006.

f. For the purpose of providing an assignment of dose that is favorable to claimants, the bias will default to 1.

g. This test is not considered part of the PPG cohort. These data should be used to estimate dose only if this oceanic testing location is recognized as a covered DOE facility.
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0052 Revision No. 00 Effective Date: 08/30/2006 Page 13 of 18

6.0

A review of the records provided by DOE and application of the operation-specific parameters listed in 

Table 2-2 will provide a dose estimate for the employee. The assignment of unmonitored dose to 

participants who did not receive a dosimeter should be evaluated. NIOSH considers the available 

data and methods adequate for performing external photon dose reconstruction at the PPG. NIOSH 

determined in the SEC Petition Evaluation Report (NIOSH 2005) that it lacks sufficient information to 

adequately reconstruct neutron doses at the PPG. The following specific guidance is provided for 

external dose reconstruction:

OCCUPATIONAL EXTERNAL DOSE

Energy 

distribution:

Assume an energy distribution of 100% 30-250 keV for photons. This 

is very favorable to claimants since it is likely that participants present 

during the events were exposed to photons >250 keV. Beta dose was 

not evaluated on the film dosimeters used during these operations. 

Beta-to-gamma ratios would be consistent with the guidance in the 

NTS TBD where atmospheric testing also occurred.

Missed 

dose:

Assign missed dose based on the number of exchanges found in the 

dosimetry records. During these tests there were operation badges 

that were worn for the entire test sequence or some other established 

interval of the operation and there were mission badges that were 

worn for the duration of a specific task. Since both badges were to be 

worn at the same time, only one zero should be assigned.

Uncertainty 

and bias:

Assign uncertainty to the measured photon dose. As an assignment

that is favorable to claimants, bias has been defaulted to 1.0 for both 

the missed and measured doses. According to the information in Film

Badge Dosimetry in Atmospheric Nuclear Tests, the dose of record 

was to be divided by the bias, however it is favorable to claimants to 

assign as discussed above.

7.0

This site profile provides guidance for dose reconstruction of non-SEC cancers and those 

presumptive cancer claims that represent less than 250 days of employment for EEOICPA claimants 

who worked at the PPG. NIOSH finds that the external monitoring records and operational histories 

available are sufficient to complete photon and beta external dose reconstructions for these 

employees. Dose reconstructors should use existing NIOSH TBDs and procedures to estimate 

possible occupational medical exposures. Environmental dose should not be assigned to monitored 

workers starting with Operation Castle and the institution of LANL procedures regarding the 

processing of film dosimetry. Exceptions to this guidance are discussed in Section 4. NIOSH lacks 

access to source term data, bioassay data, or internal monitoring data to estimate internal doses 

associated with potential inhalation of radionuclides.

SUMMARY
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0052 Revision No. 00 Effective Date: 08/30/2006 Page 14 of 18

REFERENCES

DNA (Defense Nuclear Agency), 1981, Operation Wigwam, DNA 6000F, Washington D.C.

DNA (Defense Nuclear Agency), 1982a, Castle Series, 1954, DNA 6035F, Washington D.C.

DNA (Defense Nuclear Agency), 1982b, Operation Argus 1958, DNA 6039F, Washington D.C.

DNA (Defense Nuclear Agency), 1982c, Operation Hardtack I 1958, DNA 6038F, Washington D.C.

DNA (Defense Nuclear Agency), 1982d, Operation Ivy, DNA 6036F, Washington D.C.

DNA (Defense Nuclear Agency), 1982e, Operation Redwing: 1956, DNA 6037F, Washington D.C.

DNA (Defense Nuclear Agency), 1983a, Operation Dominic I-1962, DNA 6040F, Washington D.C.

DNA (Defense Nuclear Agency), 1983b, Operation Greenhouse 1951, DNA 6034F, Washington D.C.

DNA (Defense Nuclear Agency), 1983c, Operation Sandstone: 1948, DNA 6033F, Washington D.C.

DNA (Defense Nuclear Agency), 1984, Operation Crossroads 1946, DNA 6032F, Washington D.C.

DOE (U.S. Department of Energy), 2000, United States Nuclear Tests July 1945 through September 

1992, DOE/NV-209-REV 15, Nevada Operations Office, Las Vegas, Nevada.

IEER (Institute for Energy and Environmental Research), 2006, Summary of Historical Annual 

Regulatory Dose Limits for the United States, Downloaded on May 20, 2006 from 

http://www.ieer.org/sdafiles/vol_9/9-1/dosetbl.html

NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 2005, SEC Petition Evaluation Report, 

Petition SEC-00020, Office of Compensation Analysis and Support, Cincinnati, Ohio, 

October 20.

NRC (National Research Council), 1989, Film Badge Dosimetry in Atmospheric Nuclear Tests, Report 

69114, Committee on Film Badge Dosimetry in Atmospheric Nuclear Tests, National Academy 

Press, Washington D.C.

ORAUT (Oak Ridge Associated Universities Team), 2004a, ORAUT-TKBS-0008-3, Technical Basis 

Document for the Nevada Test Site – Occupational Medical Dose, Rev 00, Oak Ridge, 

Tennessee, June 9.

ORAUT (Oak Ridge Associated Universities Team), 2004b, ORAUT-TKBS-0010-3, Technical Basis 

Document for the Los Alamos National Laboratory – Occupational Medical Dose, Rev 00, Oak 

Ridge, Tennessee, December 29.

ORAUT (Oak Ridge Associated Universities Team), 2004c, ORAUT-PROC-0061, Occupational XRay Dose Reconstruction for DOE Sites, Rev 00, December 1.

ORAUT (Oak Ridge Associated Universities Team), 2005a, ORAUT-TKBS-0035-3, Lawrence 

Livermore National Laboratory – Occupational Medical Dose, Rev 00 PC-1, Oak Ridge, 

Tennessee, October 26.
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0052 Revision No. 00 Effective Date: 08/30/2006 Page 15 of 18

ORAUT (Oak Ridge Associated Universities Team), 2005b, ORAUT-OTIB-0006, Technical 

Information Bulletin: Dose Reconstruction from Occupationally Related Diagnostic X-Ray 

Procedures, Rev 03 PC-1, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, December 21.

ORAUT (Oak Ridge Associated Universities Team), 2005c, ORAUT-PROC-0060, External On-Site 

Ambient Dose Reconstruction for DOE Sites, Rev 00, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, March 7.
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0052 Revision No. 00 Effective Date: 08/30/2006 Page 16 of 18

ATTACHMENT A

The following information is available in the DNA radiation reports for the various PPG Operations. 

Using this summary data provided in the reports, the mid-point of each distribution has been 

determined and then multiplied by the number of non-DOD participants or badges (for the Crossroads 

data) that hypothetically received that mid-point dose. The midpoint for the last distribution was 

calculated using the highest dose as an end point. These were summed across all distributions and 

then divided by the total. This provides a 50% dose for each operation that can be used as co-worker 

dose, until such time as co-worker data is available.

50% dose = ∑ (A n* Bn) / C 

A = midpoint of each distribution

B = total non-DOD participants or badges within the distribution

C = total non-DOD participants or badges 

Crossroads – Actual Film Badge Readings (R gamma)

Month Total Badges 0

(R)

0.001 – 0.1 

(R)

0.101 – 1.0 

(R)

1.001 – 10 

(R)

July totals 3767 2843 689 232 3

% of Badges 100 75 18 6 <0.1

August totals 6664 3947 2139 570 8

% of Badges 100 59 32 9 0.1

Highest dose during Crossroads Operation was to a radiation safety monitor at 3.72 R.

Calculated dose at 50% is 0.118 rem

Sandstone – Film Badge Readings (R gamma) for non-DOD participants (119 participants badged) 

April/May 0 

(R)

0.001 – 1 

(R)

1 – 2 

(R)

>2 

(R)

Total non-DOD participants 18 83 6 12

Eleven individuals from the Rad Safe group received doses above the imposed standard of 3 R. 

The highest dose received was 17 R. The average dose for all participants (including DOD) was 0.25 

R with 65% receiving a zero recorded exposure.

Calculated dose at 50% is 1.383 rem.

Greenhouse – Film Badge Readings (R gamma) for non-DOD participants (551 participants badged) 

April/May 0

(R)

0.001 – 1 

(R)

1 – 3

(R)

>3

(R)

Total non-DOD participants 110 325 82 34

The average dose was 0.5 R. The highest dose received was 8.6 R.

Calculated dose at 50% is 0.950 rem.

Ivy – Film Badge Readings (R gamma) for non-DOD participants (367 participants badged) 

November 0

(R)

0.001 – 0.999 

(R)

1 – 2.999 

(R)

>3

(R)

Total non-DOD participants 45 245 74 3
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0052 Revision No. 00 Effective Date: 08/30/2006 Page 17 of 18

90% of all exposures were less than 1 R for Operation Ivy. The highest dose received was 3.2 R.

Calculated dose at 50% is 0.762 rem.

Castle – Film Badge Readings (R gamma) for non-DOD participants (2175 participants badged) 

March/April/May 0 

(R)

0.001 – 1

(R)

1.001 – 3

(R)

3.001 – 5

(R)

5.001 – 10 

(R)

Total non-DOD participants 86 1221 323 292 81

The average dose was 1.7R for Operation Castle.

Calculated dose at 50% is 1.394 rem.

Wigwam – Film Badge Readings (R gamma) for all participants (146 non-DOD participants badged) 

NOTE: This test is not considered part of the PPG cohort. These data should be used to estimate 

dose only if this oceanic testing location is recognized as a covered DOE facility.

May 0

(R)

0.1 – 0.165 

(R)

0.2 - 0.280 

(R)

0.315 – 0.385 

(R)

0.425

(R)

Total non-DOD participants 6141 329 19 13 1

Average non-zero exposure was 0.129 R for Operation Wigwam. Some badges were not available.

Calculated dose at 50% is 0.055 rem.

Redwing – Film Badge Readings (R gamma) for all participants (3847 non-DOD participants badged) 

May - July 0

(R)

0.001 – 0.999 

(R)

1 – 2.999

(R)

3 – 4.999

(R)

5 – 9.999

(R)

Total non-DOD participants 426 1237 844 1038 2224

Average non-zero exposure was 1.7 R for Operation Redwing. Some badges were not available. 

Highest dose to a non-DOD participant was 6.8 R.

Calculated dose at 50% is 2.115 rem.

Hardtack I – Film Badge Readings (R gamma) for all participants (5067 non-DOD participants 

badged) 

April - August 0

(R)

0.001 – 0.999 

(R)

1 – 2.999

(R)

3 – 4.999

(R)

5 – 9.999

(R)

Total non-DOD participants 1050 1623 2266 126 2

Average non-zero exposure was 0.87 R for Operation Hardtack. Highest dose to a non-DOD 

participant was 5.26 R.

Calculated dose at 50% is 1.877 rem.

Dominic I – Film Badge Readings (R gamma) for all participants (4620 non-DOD participants 

badged) 

April - August 0 

(R)

0 – 1 

(R)

1 – 3 

(R)

>3 

(R)

Total non-DOD participants 2041 2555 23 1
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0052 Revision No. 00 Effective Date: 08/30/2006 Page 18 of 18

Over all mean exposure of 0.2 R for Operation Dominic. Highest dose to a non-DOD participant was 

7.15 R.

Calculated dose at 50% is 0.288 rem.

The data are found in the fact sheets associated with the various Operations.

DNA (Defense Nuclear Agency), 1981, Operation Wigwam, DNA 6000F, Washington D.C.

DNA (Defense Nuclear Agency), 1982a, Castle Series, 1954, DNA 6035F, Washington D.C.

DNA (Defense Nuclear Agency), 1982b, Operation Argus 1958, DNA 6039F, Washington D.C.

DNA (Defense Nuclear Agency), 1982c, Operation Hardtack I 1958, DNA 6038F, Washington D.C.

DNA (Defense Nuclear Agency), 1982d, Operation Ivy, DNA 6036F, Washington D.C.

DNA (Defense Nuclear Agency), 1982e, Operation Redwing: 1956, DNA 6037F, Washington D.C.

DNA (Defense Nuclear Agency), 1983a, Operation Dominic I-1962, DNA 6040F, Washington D.C.

DNA (Defense Nuclear Agency), 1983b, Operation Greenhouse 1951, DNA 6034F, Washington D.C.

DNA (Defense Nuclear Agency), 1983c, Operation Sandstone: 1948, DNA 6033F, Washington D.C.

DNA (Defense Nuclear Agency), 1984, Operation Crossroads 1946, DNA 6032F, Washington D.C.